Six Years of Tradition + Handmade Shopping - Celebrating Etsy NY's Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

Some would say they can hear elves hammering away finishing up last minute gifts to be added to the bags Santa will carry on his sleigh from the North Pole to good boys and girls.  Others, might say those hammers are in fact being used by local New York artisans and crafters who sell on the handmade market place Etsy.com, as they finish up one-of-kind products to sell at the upcoming Etsy New York's Holiday Handmade Cavalcade.

The Etsy New York Holiday Handmade Cavalcade has six years worth of history, and has become a must for holiday shoppers looking for unique and locally crafted gifts to give their loved ones.  Featuring more than 40 vendors and team members of from the Etsy NY Team and showcasing one-of-a-kind goods ranging from handmade clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body products, toys and housewares.

“What originally started as a chat at the Brooklyn Flea in 2008, because we could potentially have access to John and Kristie's, of Beacons Bookmarks, wood shop, grew into a whole group of artists and NY Etsy vendors rallying together to share cars and band together to promote and organize a DIY event that showcased the mission of Etsy.  It's always amazing how access to one key resource can be a game changer” says Kimm Alfonso, Founder of Etsy NY. "We decided we'd test out our event hosting skills here and thus the Cavalcade was born, with amazing graphics that showed cars loaded with craft supplies headed up to Beacon, NY."

The graphic created for the first Handmade Cavalcade in 2008.

"The holiday event was the big one, where we felt we had a smaller successful event under our belts and could really be successful in NYC.  Similarly, we had access to an amazing space for free/low fees and would have to DIY everything, which was right up our alley," says Alfonso.

Etsy NY team member, Jenny Topolski of J. Topolski Design, remembers her Cavalcade experiences. "When I first joined the team a million years ago, I wanted to get more involved and meet the other members, so I signed up for the Cavalcade. The last one I sold at was held at Public Assembly, but I've always loved the feeling of team-spirit and that the artists collectively work together to create an event that is inclusive not just to them, but neighborhood and customers."

The Holiday Handmade Cavalcade hosts more than 2,000 people each year and has become a New York City winter tradition for those looking for local and unexpected holiday products.  "Now, six years later, the Cavalcade has grown and changed to reflect the amazing talents and resources of the present team providing an organic feeling also aligned with the mission of the original Calvacade vendors and of the expanding network of artists and Etsy sellers in the Tri-State area,” says Kimm.  

In addition to the high-quality, handmade wares for sale, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with our event sponsors, including Etsy, Lion Brand Yarns, Yelp, Zipcar, Purl Soho, and more, and mingle with local artisans over delectable treats and cocktails and/or beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery. 

Admission to this indie shopping event is free. The first 100 guests both Saturday and Sunday will receive a complimentary gift bag filled with wonderful treasures donated by The the Etsy NY team Team and the event sponsors.  Below are some pictures of the gift bags

Additionally, with each purchase at the event, shoppers will be entered into a raffle for one of four amazing goody bags of handmade items and let's not forget the currently open rafflecopter raffle through the Etsy New York Facebook Page.  Below are some pictures of some of the wonderful handmade goodies that lucky raffle participants will have a chance to take home with them. 

For more information on this exciting holiday event, visit www.handmadecavalcade.com . I hope to see all, or some of you there.  And if not, well, you can do some shopping online via Etsy.com with the list of vendors (I'll be there!) on the Handmade Cavalcade's site.

Happy Holidays, shopping, and thank you for supporting Etsy New York events and artists all these years!

//Sara Stroman 

S2 Stationery & Design // Sara Stroman S2 Stationery & Design

Are you one of our Holiday Handmade Cavalcade Raffle Winners?

What an amazing year it has been! The members of The {NewNew} would like to thank you for supporting handmade artists in Metro New York. Given the state of the economy, your contribution to local indie designers means a lot more than you can imagine.

We are especially grateful to those who stopped by our tents at various events around town. We're also extremely appreciative to all those who turned up at our Second Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade, and were delighted that so many stopped by, (even in the pouring rain)! If you have pictures of the event, we'd love to see it! Send it over to our email at handmadecavalcade@gmail.com.

And if you entered our holiday raffle, check out the video results here to see if you're one of the five lucky winners!

For all who are not done with their shopping list, there is still time to visit some of our shops at the following events this weekend. The Brooklyn Lyceum will be host to a holiday craft market on Saturday and Sunday, featuring Lu Crafts, Wai Sze Designs, New York Clocks, a Studio by the Sea, Wabisabi Brooklyn. Wabisabi Brooklyn will also be at the Brooklyn Indie Market on Sunday. And May Luk Ceramics will be at The Market at The Old American Can Factory, along with a host of curated artisan goods.

Finally, we'd like to thank all our sponsors for making the Second Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade such a success. Their support enabled us to put on such a wonderful holiday show!

So, stay tuned for our events for the upcoming 2010 season. We will have even more fun and exciting shows in store for you.

We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you at our events in the new year!

Best,

The {NewNew}

Get your Goody Bag at this Saturday's HHC

"i buy handmade" goody bag

The early bird catches the goody bag at the HHC'09. If you were one of the first 200 people to RSVP for the Second Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade, pick up your free hand printed "I buy handmade" goody bag by 2:00pm this Saturday, December 5th. After 2:00pm, bags may be claimed on a first come first serve basis. Your bag will be filled with treats from sponsors including Etsy, Yelp, ReadyMade, Knitty City, and Lion Brand Yarn to name a few. This is a handmade show, so it's only fitting to have handmade treasures from The {NewNew} in your goody bag, ranging from soy candles from Lu Crafts, bobby pins from Thistle Pixie, to magnets from Saru Star, and cell phone charms from Paperelle.

ReadyMade Magazine's newest issue, goody bag item

Didn't rsvp? That's OK. You still have a chance to win an embellished tote--specially decorated by several {NewNew} artists--loaded with handmade items donated from 15 vendors. Every purchase qualifies a shopper to receive a raffle ticket. Bring a list--a long one--and you're sure to find something special for everyone, while collecting a few raffle tickets along the way.

Decoupage comic wall clock from Can't Afford Em Crafts, raffle bag item

There will be 5 raffle bags with prizes donated by:
Earrings by Jantar Handcrafted JewelryNecklaces by Pulp SushiHair clips by Groundsel Earrings by Saru StarNecklaces by Wabisabi BrooklynSoy candles by LuCraftsDecoupage comic wall clocks by Can't Afford Em CraftsGadget cozies by B Shorr Handmade Designs Button Hairbands by A Studio by the Sea Illustration prints by Virginia KraljevicBobby pins by CLineCreations Glass Paperweights by Journalistic TendenciesHandcrafted greeting cards by Wai Sze Designs
Wristlet by Red Bridge Studio
See you there!

What's the shape of your love?

What’s the shape of your love? The Carnival of Love Foundation coined the word “loveprint” to signify that our love is as unique as our fingerprint, coming in many colors, shapes and sizes, and despite our differences, it’s the one thing that truly unites us all. They named their campaign: “What’s the shape of your love?” asking people to pause and reflect on the significance of their lives in spreading love and light to others. What imprint will you leave in this world?

The Carnival of Love Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization who believes that all children deserve the right to a happy and fulfilled life and are dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support abandoned, orphaned, abused, neglected, and terminally ill children around the world. The organization is founded on the principles that we all have the power to make a difference in this world, and that by sharing light, love and hope with underprivileged children we can make a significant impact on their lives and pave the way for a brighter future.

Originally the organization started off as a community project from a leadership program, then a group of long-time friends got together and transformed the project into a fun and festive fundraiser. The group, feeling blessed to have experienced the benefits of growing up in a close-knit, supporting and loving community of family and friends, felt that every child deserved the same right.

After much research, the Foundation chose to support the tremendous efforts of SOS Children's Villages, the largest orphan charity in the world. The SOS Children’s Villages is an international, non-governmental social development organization that has been active in the field of children's rights and committed to children's needs since 1949. The villages assist children, worldwide, that have either lost their parents or who cannot be raised by their biological family by offering them an emotionally stable, family-like environment throughout their lives, especially during the challenging years of transition into adulthood. They are known for creating lasting relationships with the children and being there to cherish the various milestones in their lives. For more information visit:

On Friday, February 27, 2009, The Carnival of Love Foundation will host its Second Annual “Apokries” Carnival of Patras, Greece Fundraiser to benefit the children of SOS Children's Villages of Greece. Central Lounge will transform into a fantasy-like Carnival playground complete with breath-taking entertainment, elaborately costumed performers, and raffle giveaways. There will also be courtyard festivities including cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples, face painters, photo booths, caricature artists and more.

History of the Patras Carnival or Patrino Carnavali

The Patras Carnival is the largest carnival event in Greece and the biggest in Europe, with more than 160 years of history. The events begin on January 17^th and lasts up to Clean Monday also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, or Monday of Lent. The Patras Carnival is a variety of events that includes balls, parades, hunting of hidden treasure, kids’ carnival etc. The last weekend of Carnival consists of parades of carnival groups, floats and a closing ceremony. With an effort to bring this wonderful Greek tradition to NY, and the ideas of spreading love and raising money for children, the Carnival of Love Foundation has incorporated Patras Carnival’s cultural traditions and made it the theme for a monumental fundraising event.

WOW- did you know?

WOW stands for World-Orphan-Week - from February 9th-15th- an annual fundraising event during which everyone is invited to have fun and help orphaned and abandoned children by 'wearing something WOW' for one day and donating to SOS Children, the world's largest orphan charity. By participating in World-Orphan-Week, and encouraging others to do so, you can help SOS Children give orphaned and abandoned children a new mother, home and family … for life!

With that said put on a crazy outfit, preferably something colorful and head over to a wonderful fundraising event!

Carnival of Love Foundation
Central Sushi Bar and Lounge
February 27th, 2009
Doors open at 10pm
20-30 Steinway street, Astoria, Queens
Admissionis $30 at the door which includes a drink pass, masquerade mask, and access to all carnival festivities in the courtyard.
Pre-event tickets can be purchased for $25 by calling 646-717-7113 or by emailing rsvp@carnivaloflove.org

There will be a courtyard full of festivities, also I will be there vending for the charity. The Carnival of Love Foundation has asked me to design bracelets for the Foundation that represent their charity, theme colors, the carnival, and their logo.

Etsy Buy Handmade kokalakiJEWELRY

Did I mention that there will be raffle prizes? All event tickets purchased in advance enter you into the raffle prizes. The grand prize is a flat screen HD television, the full prize list is TBA soon! For all you handmade lovers, some of the members of the NewNew have volunteered to donate beautiful raffle prizes!

Thank you everyone for all your support and LOVE! Hope to see you all there!

-kokalakiajewelry